Israeli Strike In Iran Kills 2 Soldiers; US, Allies Urge Tehran Not To Retaliate. Hamas Condemns Attack

Hamas condemned Israeli airstrikes on Iran as a violation of sovereignty. The US and its allies urged Iran not to retaliate, warning of consequences.

Israel carried out "precision strike" against military targets in Iran that killed two of its soldiers.

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Iranian-backed Gaza-based armed group Hamas has condemned the overnight Israeli airstrike on military locations in Iran "in the strongest terms." 

On Friday morning, Israel's military said its jets had completed three waves of strikes before dawn against missile factories and other sites in retaliation to the October 1 attack by Iran. 

Tehran said its air defence successfully countered the attack but some locations had received "limited damage".

Condemning the strikes, Hamas said in a statement that the attacks are a "blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty" and an "escalation targeting the security of the region".

It also lauded Iran for "succeeding in nullifying" the impact of the strikes and "appreciated" Iran's support of the Palestinian people and their cause.

Two Iranian soldiers were killed in the strike, said the Islamic Republic's army, reported state media. 

"The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in defending Iran's security and protecting the people and Iran's interests, sacrificed two of its fighters while countering projectiles from the criminal Zionist regime," state media agency IRNA cited a statement from the army. 

Meanwhile, the United States and its allies have urged Iran not to retaliate against the attacks at a time when the region is already on the boil-over war in Gaza and Lebanon. 

"If Iran chooses to respond once again, we will be ready, and there will be consequences for Iran once again," a statement by senior administration officials said, adding Washington did not want to see this happen, reported BBC. 

Outgoing US President Joe Biden said Israel has the right to defend itself but told Israel he would not support an attack targeting Iran's nuclear facilities over concerns it could trigger another escalation in the widening conflict.

"This should be the end of this direct exchange of fire between Israel and Iran," the statement said further noting that the US  was prepared to "lead an effort to secure an end to the war in Lebanon" and try to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also called on Iran to not respond to the strikes. " "I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression and I am equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint," Starmer said.